Recycling Center Location & Hours

Recycling Center FAQs

How do I get a red Curbside Recycling container?

The city of Bedford is in charge of the Curbside Recycling program and can be contacted at (812) 279-9222. They will explain how to get a red tub and what materials are accepted. Recyclables are picked up every other week on the same day as your regular trash pickup. Between pickups feel free to visit our Recycling Center at 1221 J Street.

Why are only #1 and #2 plastics accepted?

The recycling center only accepts materials that have a stable market. This ensures that the materials accepted will be recycled into new products. Although most #3 to #7 plastics are recyclable, the plastics industry for these products is still in the early stages so these plastics cannot be recycled in most areas.

Why are only plastic bottles recycled?

Only bottles are recycled because of their distinctly different manufacturing process. Bottles are manufactured differently than plastic tubs for butter, yogurt, etc. Bottles are blown into shape while tubs are molded into shape. Although they are made from the same type of plastic, the manufacturing processes give the products unique properties. Because of their different properties, the items cannot be recycled together.

Why doesn’t the Recycling Center pay for aluminum cans?

Revenue that the recycling center receives from the sale of aluminum cans is used to offset the cost of processing other recyclables. These items include plastic, cardboard, magazines, and glass. Recycling centers that pay for aluminum cans usually do not accept recyclables that cost money to process.

Medical Waste Recycling:We are currently researching the best options for medical waste recycling and disposal. If you know of any local options please feel free to contact us by writing a short message from our Contact Us page.

Metal Appliance Recycling:

Contact Bedford Recycling at (812) 275-6883. Most salvaged metals and electronics are accepted.

For additional information on recycling appliances and electronics, we found appliancehelp.com's Appliance and Electronics Recycling guide to be very useful!

Packing Peanut Recycling:

Contact your local UPS Store or Mail Boxes Etc. The material must be cleaned and free of debris.

Why Recycle?

Reasons to Recycle

Recycling creates jobs

Recycling can generate many more jobs than waste disposal methods. This is because recycling processes are significantly more labor-intensive and do not use the regular equipment used for waste disposal. This results in the need for more employees to do the processing instead. In a report prepared by the Tellus Institute, it was found that if the US increases recycling rates from the current 33% up to 75%, it would create 1.5 million jobs!

Recycling and reducing consumption can save energy and reduce our dependence on oil from foreign countries.

Recycling conserves our resources

All resources come from a common pool. Conserving those resources now ensures that future generations can have access to the same resources we do, without the risk of running out. Fuel, metals, and many other materials will not be replenished in our lifetime so the more we waste now, the less we have for future use.For example, the International Energy Agency reports that there is only enough oil reserves to last us for 40 years.

Recycling keeps trash out of landfills and protects the environment

Landfills today are built to prevent pollution and methane gas from seeping out which helps reduce damage to the environment. But landfills also take up space, something our country values highly. When the current landfills are filled up, more land will be needed for waste disposal, and we will have to give up more valuable space for burying our trash.

Recycling reduces pollution

When new products are created a lot of energy is required, from the extraction of the material (metals, wood, etc.) to the creation of the product to the transportation of the product to the store. Energy is required at all stages of the process, and the more we buy, the more energy we use up to get those products. Manufacturing plants pollute the air and water with chemicals. The power plant that provides energy for the manufacturing plant burns fuel that pollutes the air. Trucks used to transport materials pollute the air. By reducing our consumption and recycling the materials we need to buy, we can save that energy and protect our natural resources.

Recycling produces less carbon

Carbon is one of the gases most commonly released during the process of making new products. Reducing the number of products we buy will decrease the amount of carbon that is released into the atmosphere. Carbon is one of the major contributors to global climate change, which causes sea levels to rise, severe storms to become more common, and makes food production more challenging.To read a report by the EPA about recycling reducing carbon emissions, click here.

How are recylced materials used after they are processed?

Steel food cans: Appliances, Auto Parts, Construction Beams

Aluminum Cans: New Soda Cans, Siding

Paper: New Paper, Building Insulation, Packaging

Plastics: Plant Pots, Plastic Lumber, Can Liners, Lawn Furniture

Glass: New Glass Packaging, Decorative Tiles, Paving Materials

Magazines: Greeting Cards, Paperboard

Oil: Marine Grade Diesel Fuel, Motor Oil

Newspaper: Cellulose Insulation for Homes

For interesting facts and benefits about recycling visit the following websites: